Last Gasp Mom's Day Gift -- A Carnival Cruise

Mother's Day is May 11 and it's approaching dangerously fast -- for those of us who tend to be last-minute gift shoppers, anyway. Right about now, you're probably making plans to take your dear, sweet mom to a nice Mother's Day brunch (again). Or maybe you're looking forward to surprising her with those sterling silver "No. 1 Mom" earrings that are often the result when insomnia and the Home Shopping Network collide.

Or maybe you (gasp!) haven't planned anything yet.
It's not too late to make a grand gesture. Seriously. If you and your mom are free next weekend, Carnival Cruise Lines has a deal for you. The company is offering Mother's Day deals on six different three to five night sailings.

May 8: Four-night Western Caribbean cruise to Cozumel roundtrip from New Orleans onboard Carnival Fantasy

Rates for these sailings start from $349 per person for 3-night cruises, $399 per person for 4-night cruises, and $449 per person for 5-night cruises. For additional information and reservations, call 800-CARNIVAL or visit www.carnival.com.

Procrastinator alert: you must book the cruise no later than three days prior to departure.

Carnival is also offering extended deals on many of these cruises (other dates) -- so even if you can't go next week, you can still present your mom with a pretty nifty gift.

Indeed, with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world included on these itineraries, any of them is sure to be a mom-pleaser. And if she's not a sun-worshipper, your dear mum can find plenty of attention and personal pampering onboard the ship. She can stop in to Spa Carnival for a massage, facial or manicure and -- on Carnival Imagination or Inspiration -- recharge her batteries in the new, adults-only Serenity area.

And if you absolutely can't break the Mother's Day brunch tradition, try the made-to-order omelets on the Lido deck.